Chapter 22 THE ECHO OF NIGHTMARE, LENNOX.
She got up with her arms wide open and a smile spreading across her face. I let out a sigh-it felt like a heavy weight had been lifted off my shoulders. I just hugged her, and somehow, that made me feel a little better.
"I thought you said you had fun in Austin. How come you look so miserable?" Linda asked as we pulled away from the hug. I forced a smile, not wanting my emotions to betray me.
"Let's talk later. But first, we need to dump those unsolved file cases back to the people who dumped them on us. Anna, Jacob-grab as much as you can and follow me," I instructed. But they both exchanged glances before looking back at me in confusion.
"But the head officer strictly informed us that this was our work-going through all these files and solving each and every case," Jacob said.
"Yeah, and you know how scary the head officer can be," Anna added, her face slightly pale with concern.
"Well, not anymore. As a matter of fact, the head officer won't be on our neck anymore-because we finally matter," I said. But that only earned more confused gazes.
"Just carry the files back," Linda said, letting out a frustrated sigh. "I'm sure we'll understand later. Now, Nancy, start talking. Explain yourself."
"Relax, Linda. We have plenty of time. Don't you want to know why the head officer called me?" I deflected, hoping to distract her from pressing me about the real reason I came back without telling her. Not because I didn't want to, but
"Fine, let's go grab a drink," Linda said, clearly sensing my hesitation. Somehow, we ended up at a bar downtown. She ordered us some beers, but ever since Jaxon Lennox, I've had this weird, indescribable feeling whenever I walk into a bar and catch the strong stench of alcohol.
"Relax, Nancy. Your baby daddy isn't going to jump out of nowhere and have a second night with you. And the beers are for me," Linda said, teasing. "The reason I brought you here is because it's usually empty and quiet. We could leave if you're uncomfortable."
She was right. The bar was empty and eerily quiet. The few people around were too lost in their own little worlds to look our way.
"I'm fine. Let's just get this over with," I said as I reached into my bag, pulling out Ravyn Vale's picture and placing it in front of Linda. She picked it up and studied it closely.
"Isn't he the guy you desperately wanted to find-the one who was involved in your kidnapping when you were nine?" Linda asked, confused.
"Yes, he's the one. Turns out someone wants him captured by the police, so the case was brought in as a private one," I explained. But Linda's reaction wasn't what I expected. The shock in her eyes and the concern in her expression told me she was already convinced this was a terrible idea.
"Nancy, please don't tell me you agreed to this," she began. "You can't possibly be thinking of handling this case-because this is insane. I mean, it's madness. The head officer is basically sending us to an early grave. Why would he give us this case when there are so many other detectives he claims are better?"
"I know it's dangerous. But I'm still going to do it," I said firmly, and her gasp was loud enough to echo in the empty room. She stared at me like I'd lost my mind.
"Nancy, please! I really don't have a good feeling about this. Whenever the head officer hands over a case to us, it's always the unsolvable ones. The kind we're left to figure out alone-and it never ends well. Not when this motherfucking dude is involved," Linda snapped, her concern turning into frustration.
"But this is the same guy who shattered my mental health. I keep wondering how many other kids might have fallen victim to him. Linda, I'm not letting this case go. I just wanted you to be aware," I said. "I'll have the head officer assign me a team for this. And I'll make sure you guys get the promotion you deserve."
Just then, my phone started buzzing in my pocket. I took it out-and froze.
The caller ID.
Why was she calling me?
"So, you've made up your mind about moving forward with the case? Why can't you see the danger you're putting yourself in?" Linda began again.
But the message that followed the missed call notification-along with the photos attached-had my brain shutting down completely, her voice fading into the background.
The noise around me went eerily silent as my eyes locked onto the image on my phone.
Ravyn Vale.
He was in Brentmere.
"Hello?! Nancy! Could you give me a little attention here?!"
By the time I finally looked up at her again, frustration was carved deeper into her features.
"I... I'm sorry, Linda, but I really need to make a call," I said, springing to my feet. I ignored the confusion and silent questions in Linda's eyes as I quickly dialed Mia's number, already making my way out of the bar.
I paced anxiously outside the front door as the call rang on. Mia wasn't picking up. My thoughts raced-how on earth did she get those pictures? My fingers shook slightly as I redialed her number for the fourth time, praying she would pick up.
When she finally answered on the sixth ring, I let out a sharp breath-then immediately began to bombard her with questions.
"Where on earth were you?! Why weren't you answering your phone?" I asked, running a hand through my hair in frustration and fear.
"I wasn't in a position to pick up," she replied, her voice low and urgent. "And I'm barely in one now. Nancy, I need you to listen. I saw him today-at the hotel. He was there, with a few others who came in with him. Do you think you can make it to Brentmere by tomorrow?"
Her whisper sent chills down my spine.
Everything was moving too fast.
I met Mia a few months after I left Hollowmere for Brentmere, five years ago. She had fallen into their loan shark trap and was forced to take any job they gave her, all in a desperate attempt to clear her debt.
"Mia, I'm confused. Are you safe? Is anyone threatening your life?" I asked, suspicion rising rapidly and pushing my anxiety to the edge.
"I'm okay... for now. But I need you to come. They just assigned me to serve Mr. Grave at the hotel. I'll be there until their business with him is done. Nancy... I'm scared. It was easy when I was just running errands, but now-now I'm scared."
"Just try to stay calm and keep your head low until I get there. Meanwhile, I need you to pay close attention. Study every face you see around him. Don't act out-even if you're terrified-just blend in and avoid drawing attention. Text me the hotel's name and the location, now," I instructed her, my tone firm but trying not to break from the worry pressing against my ribs.
Then the line went dead.
I ran both hands through my hair, trying to breathe through the rush of thoughts and the hunger of adrenaline curling in my stomach.
The head officer had been right.
Ravyn Vale was back in town.
"Nancy!"
I jumped at the sound of my name, startled, and turned around to find Linda standing right behind me.
"You scared me," I said, feeling the rapid thud of my heart echo through my chest.
But the look on Linda's face... it wasn't just concern.
It was disappointment-maybe even something deeper.
And her eyes held emotions I couldn't quite describe.
I let out a heavy sigh and followed her.
My eyes widened slightly when I saw two empty bottles of beer now sitting on our table. She tilted her glass back, draining the last of her drink before slamming it down.
"Since you clearly don't want to talk, I think we should leave. I have to go wrap up our last case before heading home," she said, rising to her feet.
But I reached for her hand, grabbing it gently to stop her.
"Fine. I'll tell you everything. Just... don't walk away from me, okay?" I pleaded, my voice low but firm.
She looked at me for a long moment before sighing and sitting back down. Her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes fixed on me, expectant and guarded.
"I think my parents might be losing their ranch," I admitted quietly.
Her brows furrowed, and the coldness on her face immediately shifted into concern.
"Losing the ranch? I don't understand. I thought it was legally theirs. How are they losing it-and to who?" she asked, confusion lacing her voice.
"To the Lennox family," I replied, the name bitter on my tongue. "They want to buy the land, and somehow, they've managed to pay off the sheriff to turn his back on us."
Linda's face twisted further in disbelief.
"Wait. When you say 'Lennox'... you mean the Lennox? That Lennox? The same one you hate with every fiber of your being?" she asked.
I nodded, unable to speak past the lump in my throat. Her mouth fell open.
"This is intense," she said, shaking her head. "But why would the Lennox family even care about your parents' ranch? That land isn't good enough for development. It doesn't make business sense."
"Exactly," I said, my voice trembling. "It doesn't make sense, and that's what's killing me. I've been thinking about it non-stop since Arabella called to tell me. It's like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff, and no matter which way I turn, there's no way off.
You know damn well that Jaxon Lennox is the last person I ever want to see again-but I haven't been able to sleep. I can't focus on anything. His name is everywhere I turn. It's like I'm stuck in a nightmare I can't wake up from."
I buried my face in my hands, the weight of my words pressing down on me. A faint wave of dizziness made me sway.
Linda's next words echoed my deepest fear.
"Do you think he knows? Do you think he's here for Renna?" she asked gently, and my body stiffened.
"I don't give a damn if he's here for the ranch or for Renna. He's not getting either," I spat, the anger surging uncontrollably. "He was never a part of her life, and he never will be. Renna is mine. Mine-and no one else's."
My fist slammed against the table, the frustration boiling over and spilling out.
Just then, the sharp buzzing of my phone pierced the tension. I snatched it up immediately, unlocking the screen and clicking on the message from Mia.
I read the contents once. Then again.
The words hit me like a punch to the gut.
"Lennox Luxe and Suites."
My fingers gripped tightly around my phone as I fought to hold myself together.